Tag: gracious

Some of the most important friends in my world have had a bad week. They may not know it but I have learned from them.

Friend #1 – Chesi has tongue cancer, that’s right on her dad-gum tongue! Who has ever heard of that?!? She had part of her tongue removed during surgery last week. She’s young, has two young boys at home and she’s active in her community. She could have easily let a cancer diagnosis cripple her. But you know what? She hasn’t. She’s fighting. She’s a tough little booger!

Where’s Chesi’s choice? Her reality is cancer. There’s no choice there. It’s what life has dealt her. Her choice is her mindset. I watched her be rolled back into surgery with tears in her eyes but a smile on her face as she waved to us. This woman is making a choice to live, to stay positive and deal with her rotten reality named cancer.

Friends whose marriage is in trouble – It’s an awful situation. They both feel trapped. They have resolved to live in a toxic life of misery. They have options. But neither wants to see them because making any choices may be too painful. Staying in the marriage may be a lifelong toxic choice at this point and getting out of the marriage may have it’s own lifelong toxic consequences.

Sometimes, there are no good options. Sometimes choices suck. But they are still there, however painful they may be. Not making a choice can be just as painful as making one.

My friend, Emma, could be really bitter about the thief that stole over $1000 worth of fireworks from her business and then tried to run over her in the parking lot.

But when the news showed up and the cameras were in her face, Emma gave thanks and encouraging words of appreciation to the neighbors and bystanders that offered their help when she could have easily spewed hatred and anger towards the thief.

Chesi, you are teaching me to keep a positive mindset and not let the realities of life get me down. You are an inspiration.

My couple friends – you have taught me that I always have a choice. Even if the options suck, I am never trapped because there are always options. But not making a choice can be worse than making a terrible one.

Emma, you have taught me that I can choose my focus. I can choose to be thankful and encouraging, even in a bad situation. Thank you for that reminder.

3 lessons:
I can choose my mindset. I can choose my focus. There are always choices…

Tammy Lanham uses her passions for writing, speaking and photography to entertain and encourage moms, marriages, and entrepreneurs. She homeschools. She volunteers. She’s an entrepreneur. She sleeps – sometimes. Oh, and she eats chocolate.

Tammy is married to Tommy Lanham – a coach, leadership training expert, instructor, motivator, and a believer in Jesus. He is an experienced, trusted and highly enthusiastic speaker who communicates life changing truths in an entertaining way.